In Rainbows

Gay rights activists painted a rainbow on the Moscow headquarters of the governing United Russia party after a draft law cast a shadow over gay rights in St. Petersburg.

The rainbow motif was complemented by the slogan, you cannot ban us.

The draft law, which is specific to St. Petersburg was approved in its second reading in February bu city councillors.

Under the terms of the project, gay pride parades and the discussion or promotion of gay lifestyles could all be punishable by law, if children are affected.

This homosexual propaganda, as it is defined, is characterised as enticements, positive opinions and comments.

Prior to the emergence of the draft law, travel guides had hailed St Petersburg as the most gay-friendly city in Russia.

This bill, which would violate Russia's own constitution as well as any number of international treaties, is an outrageous attack on the freedom of expression for all Russians - straight and gay. It must not be allowed to stand, said Andre Banks, executive director of the Allout.org website.

The portal claims that new legislation could crush the gay rights movement in the city.

In Russias most cosmopolitan city, home to some of the countrys most established gay rights organizations, it could soon be a criminal offence punishable by heavy fines to publish or distribute anything LGBT related, the organisation argues.